Hopkins & Carley: Malaspina Ernest M

In the dynamic and innovation-driven landscape of California, especially within Silicon Valley, legal needs for businesses, high-net-worth individuals, and institutions are often complex and multifaceted. Navigating intricate corporate transactions, high-stakes litigation, or evolving regulatory issues requires the expertise of a seasoned and comprehensive legal partner. Hopkins & Carley, a firm with a distinguished legacy in the Bay Area, has recently combined with Lathrop GPM, a national Am Law 200 firm, to expand its capabilities and reach even further. Operating from its key San Jose location, the combined entity, now known as Lathrop GPM, continues to serve the diverse legal needs of Californians. This article aims to provide a clear, engaging, and informative overview of the legal services offered by what was formerly Hopkins & Carley, now under the Lathrop GPM banner, helping local users understand their expanded scope and commitment to excellence.

The strategic combination of Hopkins & Carley with Lathrop GPM signifies an enhancement of the legal resources available to clients across California and beyond. While maintaining its strong local roots and deep understanding of the Silicon Valley market, the firm now benefits from a broader national platform, offering increased depth and breadth in various practice areas. Ernest M. Malaspina, a key figure from Hopkins & Carley, known for his expertise in employment law and his former role as Managing Shareholder, continues to contribute his extensive experience to the combined firm. This integration means that clients in California can access sophisticated legal advice and representation across a spectrum of business, individual, and institutional concerns, supported by a larger and more robust legal team dedicated to delivering tailored and effective solutions.

The San Jose office, which was formerly Hopkins & Carley and now operates under the Lathrop GPM name, is conveniently located at 70 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA. This prominent address places the firm in the vibrant downtown core of San Jose, ensuring excellent accessibility for clients throughout the city and the broader Silicon Valley region. Being situated on South 1st Street, a central artery, makes the office easy to locate and reach for both scheduled appointments and critical legal discussions, as it is positioned within a well-established commercial area.

For individuals traveling by car, downtown San Jose offers numerous parking options. While street parking with meters may be available, various public parking garages are conveniently located within a short walking distance of 70 S 1st St. These include structures in the immediate vicinity of downtown, providing ample and secure parking. It is always recommended for Californians planning a visit to check real-time parking availability and rates through local parking applications or city websites to ensure a smooth and stress-free arrival.

Public transportation also provides an excellent means of accessing the firm's office. San Jose is well-served by the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), which operates an extensive network of bus routes and light rail lines. Numerous VTA bus stops are conveniently located near South 1st Street, and various light rail stations are also within a comfortable walking distance, connecting the office to diverse neighborhoods across San Jose and neighboring communities. This robust public transit network makes the firm a highly accessible choice for a wide range of California residents.

As a full-service law firm now operating as part of Lathrop GPM, the San Jose office offers comprehensive legal services to entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and midsize to public companies. Their practice areas are extensive, covering critical legal needs for the California market:

• Business Litigation: The firm handles complex commercial disputes, intellectual property litigation, real estate disputes, and other "must-win" litigation for businesses. Their seasoned litigators are prepared for high-stakes cases in local, state, and federal courts.
• Corporate, Tax & Business Transactions: This includes advising on mergers and acquisitions, venture capital financing, intellectual property licensing, business formation, corporate governance, and complex tax planning for businesses and individuals.
• Employment Law (including Labor & Employment Litigation): With expertise from attorneys like Ernest M. Malaspina, the firm advises private and public sector employers on a wide range of employment issues, including hiring practices, policies, wage and hour compliance, employee discipline, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, and unfair competition. They defend single-plaintiff and class action lawsuits and provide counsel on effective strategies to avoid litigation.
• Family Wealth & Tax Planning (Estate Planning): One of the largest groups in Northern California, this service assists high-net-worth individuals and families with sophisticated legacy planning, comprehensive tax planning (income, gift, and estate), trust and estate administration, and charitable planning.
• Real Estate Law: The firm handles all facets of real estate, from transactions and development to complex real estate litigation. This includes advising tenants and landlords, and expertise in areas like manufactured housing law.
• Intellectual Property (IP): Services include trademark and copyright matters, patent litigation, trade secret protection, and advising on IP and data security/privacy compliance (e.g., CCPA, GDPR).
• Financial Institutions & Creditors' Rights: Providing legal support to financial institutions and advising on matters related to creditors' rights.
• Trust & Estate Litigation: Handling disputes that arise in the context of trusts and estates, which can often be complex and emotionally charged.

• Comprehensive Full-Service Capabilities: The firm, as part of Lathrop GPM, offers an extensive range of legal services, making it a one-stop shop for complex legal needs for businesses and affluent individuals in California. This breadth of expertise is a significant advantage.
• Deep Silicon Valley Roots & Expertise: With decades of experience in Silicon Valley (as Hopkins & Carley), the firm possesses a profound understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within the technology, finance, real estate, and other key industries in the region.
• Experienced Leadership (Ernest M. Malaspina): Ernest M. Malaspina, a highly respected attorney with expertise in employment law and former managing shareholder of Hopkins & Carley, continues to be a key asset to the combined firm. His involvement assures clients of continued high-caliber representation.
• Expanded National Reach (as Lathrop GPM): The combination with Lathrop GPM provides clients in California with access to a larger national platform, resources, and attorneys across 13 offices in eight states and Washington, D.C. This expanded geographic reach and increased depth across practice areas enhance the firm's ability to serve clients with multi-jurisdictional needs.
• Focus on Proactive Risk Management: In areas like employment law, the firm develops and presents comprehensive seminars for businesses on pertinent legal issues, demonstrating a commitment to helping clients avoid litigation through proactive strategies.
• Strong Reputation: Hopkins & Carley has long been recognized as a preeminent Silicon Valley law firm, known for its ability to handle complex transactions and "must-win" litigation. This reputation for excellence is carried forward under the Lathrop GPM name.

As a sophisticated, full-service law firm, Hopkins & Carley (now Lathrop GPM) does not typically offer traditional "promotions" or "special offers" in the retail sense. The value of their services lies in their deep legal expertise, strategic counsel, and comprehensive approach to complex legal challenges. Instead, their "offer" to prospective clients is the opportunity for a professional consultation, often the initial step in assessing how their legal services align with a client's specific needs.

For businesses, high-net-worth individuals, and institutions in California, engaging with a firm of this caliber involves a discussion of retainers, hourly rates, or project-based fees depending on the complexity and nature of the legal work. It is always recommended to contact the firm directly at the provided phone number to schedule an initial discussion. This consultation will allow you to outline your legal needs, learn about their fee structure, and understand how their team can provide tailored solutions to your unique situation, ensuring transparency and alignment before proceeding with legal representation.

• Address: 70 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA
• Phone: (408) 286-9800
• Mobile Phone: +1 408-286-9800

For businesses, entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, and institutions across California, particularly those rooted in the vibrant ecosystem of Silicon Valley, Hopkins & Carley (now operating as Lathrop GPM) stands as an exceptionally suitable and powerful legal partner. Their long-standing legacy and deep understanding of the regional legal and business landscape, combined with the expanded resources and national reach of Lathrop GPM, offer an unparalleled breadth and depth of legal services.

The firm's comprehensive practice areas, spanning business litigation, corporate transactions, employment law, real estate, and sophisticated estate planning, mean that a vast array of complex legal needs can be addressed by a single, highly capable entity. This integrated approach is particularly beneficial for Californians navigating the interconnected challenges of a dynamic economy. The expertise of key attorneys like Ernest M. Malaspina further reinforces their strength in critical areas such as employment law, providing invaluable counsel to employers. Furthermore, the firm's prime downtown San Jose location ensures practical accessibility for local clients, facilitating direct engagement and fostering a strong client-attorney relationship. For those in California seeking sophisticated, strategic, and comprehensive legal representation for their most significant business and personal matters, the firm now known as Lathrop GPM (formerly Hopkins & Carley) offers a trusted and formidable resource, deeply committed to achieving favorable outcomes and contributing to the success of its community.